The price level of entry-level DVD recorders without built-in hard disk drives (HDDs) is likely to drop 20%-30% by the end of the year, Taiwanese makers of optical disc drives indicated. Taiwan-made entry-level DVD recorders are currently quoted at US$265-300, the Taiwanese makers said. Taiwanese makers including Lite-On IT, BenQ, Tatung and Sampo, as well as international brands such as Pioneer and Philips plan to launch 8x DVD recorders with built-in HDDs in the second half of this year. This has already caused decreased pricing on 4x DVD recorders, as companies clear stock.

Taiwanese makers pointed out that this situation would eventually push down prices for entry-level DVD recorders, by perhaps 20%-30% to US$179-199. Global demand for DVD recorders is expected to rise to 13-15 million units this year, from 4.5-5 million in 2003, due to price drops and the Olympic Games in Athens, said the sources.